Woman’s Christian Temperance Union
255 Sir Donald Bradman Drive
Cowandilla SA

Upcoming:
Next Celebrate Israel Zoom meeting – 

Zoom Date: 18th April  Time 2:00PM – 3:30PM (Adelaide time)
(2.30pm Sydney Time)

LINK: https://zoom.us/j/89086525260 (waiting room, no password)

Zoom  dial in by phone option – Meeting ID 890 8652 5260

• • +61 3 7018 2005 Australia
  • +61 7 3185 3730 Australia
  • +61 8 6119 3900 Australia
  • +61 8 7150 1149 Australia
  • +64 4 886 0026 New Zealand
  • +64 9 884 6780 New Zealand
  • +64 3 659 0603 New Zealand

•           Iran war, that the regime will be replaced with a peaceful democracy, Israel will be safe, and the people of Iran be set free and kept safe.  

•           The salvation of Israelis – Lord please save your people, especially the new immigrants. Also, the Muslims that they would find Christ.

•             Pray against anti-Semitic hatred 

•             Pray for Stability in the Government

•             Pray for Truth regarding the war situation with Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran,  etc.

•             Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 122 – Internal security – Ceasefire to hold, Hamas to be disarmed

•             Aliyah – Many thousands of new immigrants have arrived in Israel.

•             Royal Commission in Antisemitism in Australia.

https://dailydeclaration.org.au/2024/09/04/israel-way-forward

Introduction

At this time of year, as we celebrate the Feast of Purim, we are encouraged and inspired by the story of Esther and see in it the analogy to Yeshua and his Bride.

The Book of Esther, Hadassah her Hebrew name, reveals the hidden hand of God the Father, preparing Hadassah, an orphan girl – adopted – as we are, by God our Father to Himself. (Ephesians 1:5).

Hadassah, fearfully and wonderfully made in the womb by her Creator – her destiny written in God’s Scroll and her days fashioned by her God (Psalm 139: 15-16). As we are also!

We see the fruit of Hadassah’s life as a girl, tutored, moulded in the love of God, through her obedience, faithfulness, and honour to her godly earthly ‘father’ Mordecai.

Mordecai, faithful to God, given leadership in his nation, sees God’s hand of opportunity for Hadassah. Mordecai calls her to enter a door of opportunity to be chosen as Queen. We see how Mordecai faithfully guards Hadassah’s welfare in this selection process.

We see the hand of God’s favour towards Hadassah in the ‘days of her preparation’. Cleansing and purifying, over 12 months, bathing in oil of myrrh and perfumes and beautifications. Still faithful, loving, and caring, obedient to Mordecai.

The story later reveals the fruit of Hadassah’s life-long preparation, the depths of the formation of her God-given character. We see Hadassah’s prayer life, her faithfulness and courage, wisdom, and discernment to bring about God’s ultimate victory for the Jewish people for generations and generations to see and believe and rejoice in.

Read the Book of Esther!

And now, for the Bride of Yeshua, our King of Glory, our Bridegroom, our oil is the anointing of the cleansing, purifying Holy Spirit – fire and water and refining crucible.

In these posts, I pray for the Holy Spirit to convey to us the extravagant love of Yeshua, to draw us into His Heart of love. That this amazing love, through the Holy Spirit, will prepare us as His Bride, ¬to give us bridal love for Yeshua, our Bridegroom King, and make us fully His.

I pray for the Holy Spirit to draw us into conviction, repentance and cleansing at His deep, deep levels; to prepare us; make us ready to be Yeshua’s Bride and thus delight in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Consider Psalm 51 and all the aspects of humility, prayer and supplication shown by King David as he prayed for forgiveness and to be thoroughly cleansed of his sin. We see that David was cleansed and God saw him as ‘a man after God’s own heart, who will do all My will’ (Acts 13:22). Consider also Psalm 24: 3-6 – ‘who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?’

In all of these preparations let us be mindful of the sterling qualities of Hadassah. Consider her courage and perseverance, and the victory ultimately wrought by the Hand of the Lord.
So that we, in our time, may be prepared and ready ‘for such a time as this’.
That we, as we so greatly desire, may be clothed in the white spotless garments of the Bride of the Lamb of God; washed in His redeeming Blood; ready, like Hadassah, when her time came, to choose to submit to God totally – even unto death.

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

The words written here below, are given to me by Yeshua, and I write them down. They speak of His extravagant, amazing, passionate love, and give us His guidance and direction.

Song of Solomon 1:4: “Draw me away! We will run after you. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine. Rightly do they love you.”

I pray that this word and those to follow, will speak to your heart and you will be drawn by His love and run after Him as His Bride, making yourself ready!

My Bride, come to Me: Give Me your wounded broken heart.
I took your deep pain into My hands and feet, and I received your sorrow into my brow. I paid the complete price to set you free – so that you may dance the dance of life with Me. Yes, dance. Be so free of pain and remorse that your spirit leaps within you and thus comes to Me – in a dimension of freedom that you have not known.

My hands are upon your wounds now – to extract the joy-less-ness; the grief; the disappointment; the sorrow of life’s blows and the grief of separation from My fulness.

Yes, when you let go of these deep, deep wounds, you free yourself from the earthly realm and you can fly to Me – free, free, free – to come and sup with Me and with My Father in the realm of Eternity, where there is no sin, sorrow, disease, or suffering.

Come as a little child – to Me, your Saviour, your Redeemer, and the Lover of your soul. So simple, so pure, so gentle is my love for you and My desire to give you rest for your soul.
Come, come, I, Jesus, call your name. Come, come, I long for you. Come, I love you.

Scriptures:

Jesus’ love: John 15:9. The whole Bible speaks of Jesus’ love.

Consider Isaiah 53. Also, John 3:16 and the Cross of Jesus, the Christ, refer Matthew 27; 28

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” John 15:9.

Complete price: Isaiah 53 please read all
Verses 4-5: “Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him
And by His stripes. we are healed.”

Hands and feet: Luke 24:36-40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.

Crown of thorns: John 19:5 5 Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!”

Dance: Psalm 149:5 Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3 Let them praise His name with the dance;
Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the [a]humble with salvation.

Life: John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Free: John 8:36 “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

Joy: John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Eternity: Ecclesiastes 3:11; Ephesians 2:6; 1:3 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts, Ecclesiastes 3:11 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Eph. 2:6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Eph. 1:3

No sorrow: Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Child: Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Rest for your soul: Matthew 11:28-30; Psalm 116:7 (Jesus said) “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Saviour: 1 John (all)
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—
2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us 
3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
Read full chapter.

Redeemer: Job 19:25-27
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!

Ref: Chabad https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/default_cdo/jewish/Purim.htm

Introduction

Welcome to one of the happiest holidays on the Jewish calendar – Purim. You may also like to see what I wrote last year where I outlined the highlights of Purim.

This is a time of partying, masquerading, enjoying friends, food and escaping from the troubles that surround.

In this article I wanted to look at Purim from a distinct perspective because it is a Hebrew leap year which contains two months of Adar, Adar I and Adar II

7 Because of your shame, which was doubled,
and because they cried, “They deserve disgrace,”
therefore in their land what they own will be doubled,
and joy forever will be theirs. Isaiah 61:7 CJB

As I was researching for this article and reviewing what I had written last year I came across this phrase which stood out to me.

Purim became the celebration of the salvation of the Jews of Persia during the reign of King Ahasuerus.

Perhaps this year for Father’s Beloved Chosen People will not just be a year of salvation from Israel’s enemies but also a year of salvation whereby many enter into the New Covenant like it says in –
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Double portion

What might a double portion look like these days?

For years now we have been seeing Christians and Jews walking together in partnership which did not happen previously.

We saw Esther and Mordecai working together as family members followed by Esther and King Ahasuerus working together for the salvation of the Jews, again family working together.

The Jews and Esther fasted together, and the Lord broke through for them. Father’s Beloved Chosen people are family through Father Abraham.

It is my desire to also see leaders and congregation members working together as family and leaders of various congregations working together not just for their own communities but for the benefit of the wider community that does not have the same hope that we have.

Through these examples I hope that you can see that a double portion is when we work together – in their land what they own will be doubled. Ref: Isaiah 61:7 We can achieve more together, and we are actually more together as one. Our oneness is of immense value to the Lord and His Kingdom.

Ultimately, we as Yeshua’s Bride, working together with Him to disciple nations bringing in sons and daughters.

The kingdoms of the world are rising against the Kingdom of our God. Some see dark clouds on the horizon, with nations raging like Psalm 2 states but instead of disaster being forecasted, Father God is rising – this is His day, and He is at work bringing nations back to Himself. God is the Shepherd of the Nations bringing His flock home to His heart.

I believe we will still see a healing of nations where the Lord is bringing down principalities and instituting His rule as He draws nations to Himself to be sheep nations.

2 Between the main street and the river was the Tree of Life producing twelve kinds of fruit, a different kind every month; and the leaves of the tree were for healing the nations. Revelation 22:2 CJB

Get ready for blessings!

I had been asking the Lord for a fresh word from Heaven about Purim this year. Then when I received a message from the Holy Spirit, I wrote it down:

“The sceptre is being extended to you in this season. You are in a season of favour, but it is not for your own benefit but to get ready to be a blessing to others.”

I will not recap the story of Esther as you can read more about it in the article I listed above, however, I wanted to mention the key point of Esther coming into her destiny.

14 …Who knows whether you didn’t come into your royal position precisely for such a time as this.” Esther 4:14 CJB

There are so many examples of deliverers in the Bible and in history. Father God always has His key people prepared.

You let our enemies walk on our heads. We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place with good things. Psalm 66:12 NCV

Australia suffered the bushfires of 2019-2020 and now in 2022 floods in Queensland and New South Wales are being called the once in 1,000 flood.

However, I believe the Lord is bringing us through all these tragedies into a place with good things. He will again demonstrate His goodness and I believe many will be drawn to the heart of Father God through Yeshua. My feeling is that the Lord has been testing and purifying individuals in Australia and the nation of Australia for His greater purposes and that the prosperity on this country is not just for ourselves but to be a blessing to other nations around us.

In this new day that the Lord is giving us, He will position each one of His purified children into the position He has prepared for them to be a blessing to many.

What Purim represents to Israel.
This year Purim falls on 16th-17th March and it is a festival of joy, gift giving, indulgences, masquerading, partying, parades, costumes and joy. Primarily, Purim is the national dress-up holiday in Israel – this extends to offices, schools and, well, the entire country.

For Israelis it is a time of joy and a welcome distraction from the difficulties surrounding them.

Intercessors are saying that Purim could be a key time when the Lord brings down Israel’s enemies like we saw with Haman in the Book of Esther, a divine reversal.

What Purim represents to us.
Here in Australia and in many places Covid restrictions are lifting and we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Each of us in the Body of Christ is like Queen Esther, put into a royal position, for such a time as this – to bring solutions to the earth but specifically to the nation of Israel, His Beloved Chosen people.

18 then don’t boast as if you were better than the branches! However, if you do boast, remember that you are not supporting the root, the root is supporting you.
Romans 11:18 CJB

…for salvation is of the Jews. John 4:22b KJV

We as believers are children of Father Abraham. Yeshua came through this lineage to bring us salvation for which we are ever so grateful.

As we look at the Hebrew calendar, which is a combination of lunar and solar, it is balanced by a leap month (Adar1 and Adar II) which we are experiencing this year.

It is good to keep our eyes on Israel and see what the Lord is doing in this season. His people are the apple of His eye and Father is working out His best purposes for them.

How much more will He not give us breakthroughs in our own lives and families because we have a better Covenant with better promises through Yeshua. Ref: Hebrews 8:6

Let us join with Father’s Chosen people and declare “do it again Lord.” He is faithful and will bring us through our current trials.

You let our enemies walk on our heads. We went through fire and flood. But you brought us to a place with good things. Psalm 66:12 ICB

Prayer

Father God, we thank you for the story of Purim where your name is not mentioned but your work is everywhere to be seen. Let us see with the eyes of our spirit man that You are at work in our lives, in Australia, in the nations of the world. We are not orphans like Queen Esther was an orphan, but you adopted us and made us royal sons and daughters. Please position each one of us for our appointed time to be a blessing to Israel and those in need. We look to you Father to do your inimitable work in this season.
Ba Shem Yeshua (In Jesus’ name) Amen.

Video– 2:31min

This video comes to us from 2014 but it shows the Israeli resilience in the face of trials.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlwcWjAS5zw
Israelis Celebrate Purim Despite their Enemies

“But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified”.  John 7:37-39 NKJV

Scripture records two other occasions where Jesus “cried out with a loud voice”.  Both were on the Cross:  “Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”   “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit”.  Matthew 27:46, 50 NKJV

Speaking to their blindness at this Feast of Tabernacles, “…Jesus spoke to them again, saying,

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”  John 8:12 NKJV.

Another cry on that great day of the Feast from our Good Shepherd to follow Him and walk in His light!

The love and sorrow of our God; the love and victory on the Cross for us all.

Why would Scripture record the anguish of Jesus on the great day of the Feast of Tabernacles?

Love, because Jesus came in love’s obedience to the Father’s will to be “the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 NKJV) for His beloved people Israel and for all mankind. 

Sorrow, because on this great day of the Feast which points to Messiah, the people of Israel denied their Yeshua HaMashiach, who was in their midst.

The adoration and praise due to their Messiah on this Feast is described in Isaiah.

“Therefore with joy you will draw water
From the wells of salvation.

 And in that day you will say:

“Praise the Lord, call upon His name;
Declare His deeds among the peoples,
Make mention that His name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord,
For He has done excellent things;
This is known in all the earth.
Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion,
For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!”  Isaiah 12:3-6 NKJV.

The Holy One of Israel was in the midst of His people on that day. His name was not exalted. His deeds not praised.  His greatness not lauded or shouted.

Instead, the Pharisees expressed their mockery and derision of their Messiah and murderously plotted to kill him.  Refer John 7:40-53;  Matthew 26:3-5

Scripture describes the glory of Yeshua HaMashiach.  “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;”  Colossians 2:9NKJV.

Every book of the Torah points to Messiah and to Yeshua.  The eyes of the Pharisees and those who followed them were blinded by their pride, lust for power and position, and their envy.

Yet Yeshua performed the wonders, signs and miracles described in Isaiah 61: 1-2;  see Luke 4:17-18 also John 20: 30-31.

Yeshua HaMashiach’s beloved people missed their appointed time, their time of His visitation!

The intensity of love and the anguish of sorrow, I suggest from this Scripture, for Jesus to cry out in this manner on the Feast of Tabernacles, comes from Jesus’ heart of love for His brethren the Jewish people.  On this special day of the Feast, they were rejecting Yeshua as their Messiah and King, and denying the love of the Father who gave His only begotten Son as Saviour, Redeemer, King and Messiah. (John 3:16). 

Jesus reveals hearts.

 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. (Matthew 23:27 NKJV)

The faithful, everlasting love of God for Israel

The Feast of Tabernacles celebrates God’s lovingkindness, His faithful and   everlasting love and salvation – beautifully expressed in Jeremiah 21: 2-3 and here in Deuteronomy.

“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.  The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” 

Deuteronomy 7: 6-8 NKJV

We see the passionate, extravagant love of God – a love beyond measure. Deep, deep love. Faithful, constant, covenantal love -beyond the comprehension of the human mind.

The love of God Almighty, a love that is faithful and true,  even when His people are not.  This is demonstrated in history- the love of the Father and His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. His promises never cease – they are eternal.  The love of God our Saviour and Lord, Yeshua is never ending. It is a constant, everlasting and amazing love.

We await the glorious and wonderful day of the return of the Yeshua HaMashiach.  And for the day the beautiful people of Israel cry out.  And for the promise given in Zechariah –  “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn”. Zechariah 12:10 NKJV

Another cry from Yeshua Hamashiach:

 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!  See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”  (‘Baruch Haba B’Shem’ Adonai’)   Mathew 23: 37-39 NKJV

Prayers for Yeshua’s beloved people:

We pray, Yeshua that Your people Israel will become thirsty and come to You Yeshua HaMashiach, and drink of the living water that comes from You alone, their Messiah and King.

Yeshua, the Light of the world, we pray your Jewish people will have eyes to see and ears to hear Your voice and they will follow You, Light of the World,  Good Shepherd, and they will walk in Your light, Yeshua, and have the Light which is eternal life in You.  Have the Light which is Life, Life abundantly to the full, till it overflows. (John 8:12;  John 10:10)

More and more streams, rivers of Living water from Your abundant love, flowing into hearts and lives pouring into their innermost being, into families and communities, into the whole Nation of Israel, we pray .” (John 7:38).

Yeshua HaMashiach, may we be longing and waiting for your coming again, as you return in glory to judge the whole earth, to bring restoration to all things, and to rule and reign in the New Jerusalem.  May we watch and pray and do Your will and occupy until your soon return, we pray. (Mark 13:33; Luke 21:35: 1 Peter 4:7;  Acts 10.42; 2 Timothy 4:1;  Luke 19:13 + many more)

Yeshua, we pray: Maranatha, come Lord Jesus, we long for Your coming and that you rule and reign on the Throne of King David from Jerusalem.  Your rightful place, Lord of Lords, and King of all Kings, we pray.  Amen, amen.

Tisha B’Av means Ninth of Av.  Av is the fifth month of the Jewish sacred calendar, which begins with Nisan, the month in which Passover occurs.  The civil calendar begins with Tishri, which is the seventh month of the sacred calendar, in which the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles occur.

Tisha B’Av commemorates the destruction of both the first and second temples, as well as other events.  It is the second most solemn fast day in the modern Jewish calendar, after Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).  It is considered to be the saddest day of the year, a day of misfortune and tragedy.

This is not a Biblical fast day in the sense that God instituted it; however, it is referenced in the Bible in the book of Zechariah as the “fast of the fifth” month.

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “The fast of the fourth month, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.”

Zechariah 8:19 NKJV

According to Zechariah 7:5, Tisha B’Av became an annual fast during the seventy years of the Babylonian captivity after the destruction of the First Temple.

Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: “When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me – for Me?”

Zechariah 7:5 NKJV

The Four Fasts

All four of the fasts mentioned in Zechariah 8:19 are associated with the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple.  They also have associations with later tragedies which have befallen the Jewish people, especially the fast of the fifth month, Tisha B’Av.  Jeremiah 52 records major events in the destruction of Jerusalem happening in the tenth, fourth and fifth months.

4. Now it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem and encamped against it; and they built a siege wall against it all around. 5. So the city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. 6. By the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, the famine had become so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land. 7. Then the city wall was broken through, and all the men of war fled and went out of the city at night… 12. Now in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month (which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, who served the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. 13. He burned the house of the Lord and the king’s house; all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great, he burned with fire. 14. And all the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down all the walls of Jerusalem all around.

Jeremiah 52:4-7a, 12-14 NKJV

Jeremiah 52:12 records the destruction of the temple as happening on the tenth day of the fifth month.  In 2 Kings 25:8, which is part of a parallel passage, it is recorded as happening on the seventh day of the month.  One explanation for this discrepancy is that the destruction began on the seventh day and was completed on the tenth.  However, Jewish tradition states that the destruction began on the ninth day (Tisha B’Av) and continued through the tenth.

The “fast of the fourth month” is now observed as the Seventeenth of Tammuz, but was originally observed on the ninth of Tammuz.  This fast commemorates:

• the destruction of the original tablets of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 32:19), which is deduced to have taken place on 17^th Tammuz.  Moses stayed on Mount Sinai for 40 days (Exodus 24:18) and 17^th Tammuz is 40 days after Shavuot (Pentecost), which is the day Moses is traditionally said to have ascended Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments.
• the day (9^th Tammuz) upon which Nebuchadnezzar breached the walls of Jerusalem before the destruction of the First Temple (Jeremiah 52:6-7, quoted above).
• the breach of the walls of Jerusalem before the destruction of the Second Temple, which took place on 17^th Tammuz in AD 70.

This fast begins a three-week period known as “The Three Weeks” or “Dire Straits”, a time of mourning which culminates with Tisha B’Av.

The “fast of the seventh” month is the Fast of Gedaliah, which generally takes place on 3^rd Tishri, after Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets/Jewish civil New Year).  It is thus part of the “Ten Days of Awe” which culminate with Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).  This fast commemorates the death of Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:1-2), who Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had appointed governor over the remnant of the Jews left in Judah after the destruction of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 40:11-12).  This death was a great tragedy which caused the final dispersion of the remaining Jews from the Land, who largely went to Egypt, including Jeremiah (Jeremiah 43:5-7).

The “fast of the tenth” month is the Tenth of Tevet.  This fast commemorates the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 52:4, quoted above).  There are also other events traditionally said to have taken place on or near this date.

Tisha B’Av History and Tradition

Some of the events which have happened on (or close to) Tisha B’Av include:

• (according to Jewish tradition) the weeping of the children of Israel (Numbers 14) after the spies returned from spying out the Promised Land and brought a bad report (Numbers 13).  This event caused the wanderings in the wilderness for 40 years, and for all of that generation to die without seeing the Promised Land.
• the destruction of the First Temple and the Jewish captivity.
• the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70, beginning a worldwide Jewish dispersion, which continued until Israel’s reestablishment as a nation in AD 1948.
• the fall of the fortress of Betar during the defeat of the Bar Kokhba Revolt against Roman rule, and the massacre of more than half a million Jews, in AD 135.
• the start of the First Crusade in AD 1096, which led to the deaths of more than 1 million Jews.
• the expulsion of Jews from England in AD 1290.
• the expulsion of Jews from France in AD 1306 (10^th Av).
• the expulsion of Jews from Spain in AD 1492 (7^th Av).
• Germany declaring war on Russia and entering World War I in AD 1914.
• SS commander Heinrich Himmler formally receiving approval from the Nazi Party for “The Final Solution” in AD 1941, beginning the Holocaust.
• the beginning of the mass deportation of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka extermination camp in AD 1942.
• the AMIA bombing of the Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires, killing 85 and injuring 300, in AD 1994 (10^th Av).
• Israel’s unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip in AD 2005 (10^th Av).

Observant Jews commemorate Tisha B’Av by fasting between sunset on the eve of the day and nightfall the following day, about 25 hours.  There are other prohibitions, including:

• No eating or drinking.
• No washing or bathing.
• No application of creams or oils.
• No wearing of leather shoes.
• No marital relations.
• No sending gifts, or even greeting one another with “hello”.
• No outings, trips or similar pleasurable activities.
• No wearing of fine festive clothing.
• Torah study is forbidden except for “distressing” texts such as Lamentations and Job, which are often read in synagogue services.

There are exceptions to these rules; for example, you can wash your hands after going to the bathroom, combat soldiers don’t have to fast, and so forth.

Tisha B’Av and the Messiah

3. … “Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?” 4. Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying, 5. “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me – for Me? 6. When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves?’ ”

Zechariah 7:3b-6 NKJV

As the main focus of the day [Tisha B’Av] recalls the destruction of the two Temples in Jerusalem and the subsequent Jewish diaspora, the modern day re-establishment of a Jewish state in the Holy Land has raised various attitudes within Judaism about the appropriateness of fasting and other mourning customs associated with the day. Some observant Jews outside of Orthodoxy curtail some of the mourning customs in recognition of the miracle of the reestablishment of Jewish sovereignty after nearly two thousand years.

“Tisha B’Av”, Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tisha_B%27Av) (Retrieved 13 July 2021)

The Jews are indeed asking, “Should I weep in the fifth month and fast..?”

As long as the Jews do not know their Messiah, they do, in a sense, observe Tisha B’Av only for themselves, not for God.  However, according to Zechariah 8:19 (quoted above), these mournful fast days will not continue as such – they will become cheerful feast days! Fasting will turn into feasting!  But this will only happen when the Jews have recognised and embraced their true Messiah.

The following two quotations illustrate how some people in modern Judaism associate Tisha B’Av with the Messiah.

Following the Six-Day War, the national religious community viewed Israel’s territorial conquests with almost messianic overtones. The conquest of geographical areas with immense religious significance, including Jerusalem, the Western Wall, and the Temple Mount, was seen as portentous; however, only the full rebuilding of the Temple would engender enough reason to cease observing the day as one of mourning and transform it into a day of joy instead. …

Classical Jewish sources maintain that the Jewish Messiah will be born on Tisha B’Av, though many explain this idea metaphorically, as the hope for the Jewish Messiah was born on Tisha B’Av with the destruction of the Temple.

“Tisha B’Av”, Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tisha_B%27Av) (Retrieved 13 July 2021)

The Jews thus associate the destructions of the First and Second Temples, both occurring on Tisha B’Av, with the coming of their Messiah.  Jesus Himself predicted the destruction of the Second Temple (Matthew 24:2).  Many Jews believe the temple should be rebuilt once again.  However, since the Messiah has indeed come, there is now no need for a physical temple.  With the sacrifice of Himself, Jesus abolished the need for other sacrifices, and we ourselves are now the temple of the Holy Spirit; God dwells within us.  We have no need to mourn the destruction of the physical temple!  We do not need to weep or fast in the fifth month!  Our fasting is turned into feasting!

Jesus came:

To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

Isaiah 61:3a NKJV

It is our prayer that the Jewish people will also come into this revelation; that, indeed, they no longer need to “weep in the fifth month and fast as [they] have done for so many years” (Zechariah 7:3b NKJV), but that, instead, through knowing their Messiah, “The fast… shall be joy and gladness and cheerful feasts for the house of Judah…” (Zechariah 8:19 NKJV).